Dental Services

Crowns

Crowns are restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is likely to break or is too broken down to be restored with a filling. They are most commonly done after root canal treatment or when a large filling wears out. The larger the hole made by a cavity, the more likely a crown will be needed.

Even after a filling is put in a large cavity, a tooth is more likely to break. Keep in mind that the jaw muscles are the strongest in the human body, and teeth are subjected to tremendous pressures. Crowns ride over the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against breakage. A broken or cracked tooth is a far more serious matter and much more difficult to treat.

It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. In the first, any decay is removed from the tooth, and it is shaped to accept the crown. Then an impression is made of the tooth for use in fabricating a crown. Between the two visits, the crown is made, usually of high-strength porcelain over gold alloy, all ceramic material, or gold. In the second visit, this temporary is removed and the permanent crown is adjusted as needed and then cemented into place.

Crowns in a day? What does that mean to you?

Dr. Seyfried has invested in the latest crown making technology to serve his patients better. He has produced hundreds of beautiful crowns in-house using the strongest ceramic material available. They are consistently some of the most aesthetically pleasing crowns available in the industry.

Traditional crowns are made of gold or through a "porcelain fused to metal" procedure. Gold, although a fine material for making a crown, is often unattractive and, in today’s world, too expensive. Crowns of porcelain fused to metal often prove unsightly because the metal backing shows through, causing unsightly dark areas, especially at the gum line.

But these new, all ceramic crowns are simply beautiful! They reflect light in a very natural way and are indistinguishable from the adjacent natural teeth. They are great for the front teeth and, because they are so strong, they can also be used for the harder-working back teeth. Because Dr. Seyfried makes them right in our office, they can be customized during your appointment to ensure the most natural and beautiful look.

Dr. Seyfried prefers taking his time in making these crowns to ensure the best outcome, but they can definitely be made in one appointment if needed. Dr. Seyfried will usually reserve this technique for patients who come from far away or who have time restraints and need to get their crown as soon as possible. Even still, crowns are usually made in only a few days to a week, which is much shorter than the standard three-week turnaround time from most dentists.

Come in and let our staff give you a tour of the cad-cam crown-making machine. We are sure you will agree it is simply amazing! It is a prime example of Dr. Seyfried’s commitment to his patients in ensuring the highest quality of dental care.

Dentures

There are many different types of dentures, but they share a common function: replacing teeth that have become loose or have been lost due to bone loss.

When bone loss around the roots of teeth is great enough to loosen them or let them fall out, it's time for dentures. No one enjoys losing natural teeth, but there is no need to fret. You can still eat and talk regularly.

After an exam where any loose teeth are extracted if needed, you will be fitted for dentures. Depending on the type of denture, they will be fitted to go over or around whatever teeth remain. There is an adjustment period after receiving dentures, and it can take some getting used to. But once accustomed to the dentures, all the normal functionality and appearance return and one just carries on as usual. Often implants can be used to further stabilize the dentures.

Implants

A dental implant is an option to replace a missing tooth and can be a much better alternative to a partial denture. In this procedure, a small titanium shaft is surgically implanted into the bone and allowed to set. The bone grows around it, forming a tight connection, which additionally slows or stops the bone loss that occurs when the root of a natural tooth is missing.

Once the implant is firmly set in the mouth, the dentist works to attach the replacement tooth onto the top of the shaft. This permanent solution has the advantage of not stressing the surrounding teeth for support like a bridge does, and, should the tooth wear out, another can simply be replaced on the shaft.

Implants can also be used as part of an implant bridge for support. This is an alternative to partial dentures and has several advantages. First, there is no adjustment period to acclimatize the patient who, once the work is done only feels teeth, not metal supports intruding into the mouth. Second, this slows the bone loss occasioned by missing teeth. Third, there is no discomfort or difficulty in eating. And best of all, they don't have to be taken out all the time.

We also offer mini dental implants. These implants are about half the diameter of traditional implants and are mainly used to stabilize lower dentures. These implants are placed in one appointment and can be used immediately. The cost is 50-70% of standard dental implants.

Call for a free consult.

Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is necessary when a cavity has reached all the way to the pulp. Regular cleanings and check-ups can prevent this from happening, although sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it needs root canal therapy as well.

Once the pulp becomes infected, it can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone, which is known as an abscess.

By the time the pulp is infected, it must be treated and cannot heal on its own. It can even weaken the entire immune system. It is dangerous, not to mention very painful. Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold, sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup.

A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal is filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually, a core build-up and crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy.

Bridges

This is an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth. The sides of a bridge use the teeth on either side for support, hence the name. A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically.

Bridge work is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or an all-ceramic material. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or aesthetics.

It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated, the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, creating a chain reaction. Teeth use their neighbors for support, and, with one missing, they start to "fall." As this worsens, the bite changes in response to the pressure. This can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw, e.g. TMJ. The surrounding teeth deteriorate, and it is just a matter of time before they, too, are lost. Gum disease becomes a serious problem, with the difficulty of treatment increasing as the neglect continues.

Anti-Snoring Devices

Snoring can not only be annoying to others but can also be detrimental to your health.

We have many anti-snoring devices to choose from, including mouthpieces and mouthguards to help you breathe better and get the sleep you need.

Cosmetic Dentistry

This can be anything done to correct imperfections in the appearance of the mouth. Anyone who is unhappy with his or her smile can have it fixed. The upper teeth show, usually, only when smiling, while the lower teeth remain hidden. This is reversed when talking, with the upper teeth remaining hidden while the lower teeth show.

The color, alignment, spacing as well as regularity of the teeth are the characteristics that give the overall appearance. Any of these can be repaired to give a stunning look to the mouth.

We offer a wide variety of cosmetic options. Some of these options are whitening, smile design, re-contouring of the shape of the teeth, veneers, bonding, and all-ceramic or porcelain crowns.

Whitening or Bleaching

This is the procedure of making teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office offers several whitening options.

The tray method involves having impressions taken, from which laboratory fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn for about 3 hours, or overnight. The entire process takes 3-4 weeks of daily use. Three different strengths of gel may be used, however, the higher the strength the greater the likelihood of reactions or tooth sensitivity.

The tray method is recommended for badly-stained teeth and it may take several months of use to see significant color improvement. For maintenance of whitened teeth, the trays should be used every several months.

Veneers

Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are usually only done to the part of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.

The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. This method is usually referred to as the bonding technique.

The indirect technique usually involves two appointments because the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the first appointment, the teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering. In two to three weeks the veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and are very aesthetically pleasing.

The advantage of veneers versus crowns is much less tooth material has to be removed, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable. Veneers are recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure.

Invisalign

Invisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible custom-molded aligners. By using a series of clear, removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth with results you'll notice sooner than you think.

The course of treatment involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks, moving your teeth into straighter position gradually until you have a more beautiful smile. And unlike braces, these clear aligners can be removed while you eat or brush your teeth.

Contact Us

We have been serving Minden for over 10 years. Call us today for a free consultation or to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.